Picking a new ATV?

[earljr59]

Tom I agree you should also check yamaha grizzly.The new 700 has power steering. A good used 660 can be had reasonable and are great riding/running quads.My sons 660grizzly has 4000 trouble free miles on it.plenty of power for two up riding.Both my boys worked at a yamaha/honda/kawasaki/suzuki shop untill college and say the grizzlys have fewest problems/repairs . My cousin has sold them for over 15 yrs, and agrees.I think all brands make nice machines,and taken care of will serve you well.The abuse I have seen of expensive atvs never fails to amaze me. Have fun and make your kids wear a helmet.

 

[WilliamBos]

Have a look at Can Am. They are all EFI. The little outlander 400 puts out as much HP as a sportsman 500.

 

[TruChaos]

Honda's Rancher AT could be a good option. EFI, full auto or paddle shift, and I think IRS now. We have an older AT (carb and solid rear axle) and an older 300 King Quad. Everyone (except me) likes the Honda better.
I happen to like the manual 5 speed with 3 range transmission on the Suzuki better.

I had a Rancher AT and it was a great machine and I recommend it. My sport ATV friends were shocked that they had to work to keep up with me on the Hatfield McCoy trails. My secret was to keep in in Auto mode and use lots of throttle. My only complaint is that the rear suspension was too stiff and beat up my lower back. I'm a dirt bike guy and ride a CRF450X and the dirt bike is like riding in a Cadillac compared to the Rancher. Hopefully Honda solved the rear suspension issue.

 

[DCTCJT]

We rode a friend;s Honda with ES today and his Polaris 500. I like the Polaris better and i think the wife does. Looked at a Grizzly 450 the other day with EPS but have not rode one. The one thinkg I don't like about it is not EFI, thought that might make one less cold natured. The 550 is but then again more money. Found a 850 Polaris with EPS for $8000 but really don't want to spend that much. Really want to replace the 17 year old unit though.

What brand do you have that is 17 years old?

They only made a few EFI 500 Sportsman's... new ones don't have it, unless they come out with a Limited Edition or something.

See if you can find a leftover 550 Grizzly with or without EPS. Even the non-EPS ones steer pretty easy.

Also, if you like the 500 Sportsman, see if you have a dealer around you that has a 500 King Quad... love mine.

 

[tom4018]

What brand do you have that is 17 years old?

They only made a few EFI 500 Sportsman's... new ones don't have it, unless they come out with a Limited Edition or something.

See if you can find a leftover 550 Grizzly with or without EPS. Even the non-EPS ones steer pretty easy.

Also, if you like the 500 Sportsman, see if you have a dealer around you that has a 500 King Quad... love mine.

A Yamaha Moto 4 350 two wheel drive.

 

[DCTCJT]

A Yamaha Moto 4 350 two wheel drive.

Did you have good luck with it?

 

[whistlepig]

Wonder how the belt drives are at pulling?

The belt drive on my Polaris pulls just fine. Low range for the tough stuff. I pull a tine harrow with it and drag logs. Pushes snow with a 54" blade very well. My wife has gotten our 1,300 pound Gravely riding tractor stuck several times. The 775 pound Polaris belt drive pulls it out easily. I also have had to winch the Gravely out a couple of times. I have drug this 1,300 pound Gravely sideways up a steep hill with a winch and a 775 pound ATV. Something I thought couldn't happen until I tried it.

 

[tom4018]

Did you have good luck with it?

A bad stator was the biggest problem. Going to need brakes and tires. Put a voltage regulator on it, really my fault because I had a bad battery and jumped it burning it up.

 

[robs660]

I have had a Honda Foreman a Vinson, and 2 Grizzlies. I traded my Griz 660 for a 660EFI mainly for the cold weather start. Best riding quad I have had are the Griz. They are great for trail riding, towing, plowing, just great all around bulletproof quads. I have yet to find another ride that I like as much as my grizzly. Not the cheapest ride you will look at but it will give you thousands of miles and hundreds of hours of worry free riding.

Happy shopping

 

[whistlepig]

We rode a friend;s Honda with ES today and his Polaris 500. I like the Polaris better and i think the wife does. Looked at a Grizzly 450 the other day with EPS but have not rode one. The one thinkg I don't like about it is not EFI, thought that might make one less cold natured. The 550 is but then again more money. Found a 850 Polaris with EPS for $8000 but really don't want to spend that much. Really want to replace the 17 year old unit though.

You can fault Polaris in many ways but not on their ride. McPherson struts up front and a fully independent rear suspension. Best seat made. They are the best ride of all. Disc brakes all around. Braided steel brake lines. On Demand 4WD. I think the Rancher is by far the best choice for day to day farm chores. My Polaris Sportsman will go places that the Rancher can't.